Modern Learning Environment Designed to Foster
Creativity and Innovative Thinking
Office Depot, Inc. (NASDAQ:ODP), a leading global provider
of office supplies and services, today announced an expanded
partnership with Austin Independent School District (AISD). The
company recently worked with the district to develop an innovative
entrepreneurship classroom at Crockett High School, located in
Austin, Texas. Students enrolled in the school’s entrepreneurship
program utilize the innovative learning space, which teaches
future-focused skills such as creative thinking, problem solving
and collaboration.
This entrepreneurship program follows curriculum developed by
INCubatoredu, a national program that teaches entrepreneurism
through hands-on learning. Classes feature real-world entrepreneurs
and business experts who serve as coaches and mentors, guiding
student teams through the process of ideation, market research and
business model development. In the innovative classroom space, set
up to resemble an authentic work space, students can work
individually or in small groups, while also accommodating large
group presentations.
Office Depot, Inc. works with school districts around the
country to design classrooms with new technology and furniture to
help meet the changing needs of students today. For the incubator
space at Crockett High School, the company provided full turnkey
services from visioning to implementation of the furniture, which
can be arranged in various configurations to address students’
unique and changing needs.
“The demands of the 21st century workforce are dramatically
changing the way students learn in the classroom,” said Becki
Schwietz, senior director of K-12 Initiatives for Office Depot,
Inc. “With Austin ISD, we wanted to simulate a business atmosphere
so students can connect learning with real life. Our design experts
worked with educators and learners to create a space that will
provide students with the necessary skills to prepare them for
future success.”
Students journey through the entrepreneurial experience in the
more than 1,500 square foot re-envisioned classroom. The space
facilitates distinct teams through product ideation to launch.
Office Depot, Inc. was able to use its diverse furniture and
technology portfolio to create a space that best responds to this
unique modern learning scenario. Writable surfaces facilitate
ideation and brain storming. Soft seating disrupts conformity of
the old learning regime by encouraging inter- and intra-teaming
collaboration. Digital displays provide access to virtual resources
and a place for students to team on digital products, business
spreadsheets and marketing materials.
This non-traditional learning environment models those
increasingly more common in the global and technologically driven
world, notably in Austin, thus providing access to authentic,
future-forward skillsets.
With the goal of optimum student engagement, Office Depot,
Inc.’s educational team, which includes designers, educators,
furniture experts and technology innovators, at the request of
Crockett educators, created a survey for students so they could
provide input that led to the development of the incubator space. A
student committee evaluated and ultimately helped select the
furniture and the entire finished package.
“We didn’t want a traditional classroom setting,” said Sissy
Camacho, interim principal at Crockett High School. “We wanted an
open space designed for students to collaborate, create, and
innovate. Office Depot helped create and flawlessly execute our
vision.”
Office Depot, Inc. collaborates with school districts and other
educational institutions through the company’s “Committed to
Learning” initiative, which consists of a national team of
education experts and partners across disciplines. In developing
this team, the company provides instructional solutions and
professional development for educators to enrich the learning
experience, in addition to forging partnerships with thought
leaders in the industry, including INCubatoredu, to focus on early
literacy, cognitive computing, entrepreneurship, project-based
learning and innovative learning spaces.
About Office Depot, Inc.
Office Depot, Inc. is a leading global provider of products,
services, and solutions for every workplace – whether your
workplace is an office, home, school or car.
Office Depot, Inc. is a resource and a catalyst to help
customers work better. We are a single source for everything
customers need to be more productive, including the latest
technology, core office supplies, print and document services,
business services, facilities products, furniture, and school
essentials.
As of our most recent filed annual report for fiscal year ended
2015, the Company had annual sales of approximately $14 billion,
employed approximately 49,000 associates, and served consumers and
businesses in 59 countries with approximately 1,800 retail stores,
award-winning e-commerce sites and a dedicated business-to-business
sales organization – all delivered through a global network of
wholly owned operations, franchisees, licensees and alliance
partners. The Company operates under several banner brands
including Office Depot, OfficeMax and Grand & Toy. The
company’s portfolio of exclusive product brands include TUL, Foray,
Brenton Studio, Ativa, WorkPro, Realspace and HighMark.
Office Depot, Inc.’s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global
Select Market under the symbol “ODP”.
All trademarks, service marks and trade names of Office Depot,
Inc. and OfficeMax Incorporated used herein are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Office Depot, Inc. and OfficeMax
Incorporated, respectively. Any other product or company names
mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.
About AISD
AISD is the largest school district in central Texas, serving
more than 83,000 students at 130 schools. Follow AISD on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/austinisd, Instagram at @austinisd or on
Twitter at @AustinISD.
View source
version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170117005234/en/
Office Depot, Inc.Julianne Embry,
561-438-1451julianne.embry@officedepot.comorEdelmanSarah Hoffman,
512-634-3651sarah.hoffman@edelman.com
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